• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.107-110
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• 2005

Objective : Lumbar spinal stenosis is increasingly recognized as a common cause of low back pain in elderly patients. Conservative treatment has been initially applied to elderly patients, however, surgical treatment is sometimes indispensable to relieve severe pain. We retrospectively examine the age-related effects on the surgical risk, and results following general anesthesia and operative procedure in geriatric patients for two different age groups of at least 65years old. Methods : Consecutive 51 patients [${\ge}$ 65years], who underwent open surgical procedure for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis, were selected in the study. Patients were divided into two groups. Group A included all patients who were between 65 and 69years of age at the time of surgery. Group B included all patients who were at least 70years of age at the time of surgery. We reviewed medical history including preoperative American Society of Anesthesiologists[ASA] classification of physical status, anesthetic risk factor, operative time, estimated blood loss, transfusion requirements, hospital stay, operated level, and clinical outcome to look for comparisons between two age groups [$65{\sim}69$ and over 70years]. Results : In preoperative evaluation, mean anesthetic risk factor of patients was numerically similar between the groups. The American Society of Anesthesiologists classification of physical status was similar between two groups. There was no difference in operated level, operative time, estimated blood loss, hospital stay, and anesthetic risk factor between the two groups. The clinical successful outcome showed 82.7% for Group A and 81.8% for group B. The overall postoperative complication rates were similar for both group A and B. Conclusion : We conclude that advanced age per se, did not increase the associated morbidity and mortality in surgical decompression for spinal stenosis.

• Hip & pelvis
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.135-143
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• 2024

Purpose: Hip fractures are associated with increased mortality. The identification of risk factors of mortality could improve patient care. The aim of the study was to identify risk factors of mortality after surgery for a hip fracture and construct a mortality model. Materials and Methods: A cohort study was conducted on patients with hip fractures at two institutions. Five hundred and ninety-seven patients with hip fractures that were treated in the tertiary hospital, and another 147 patients that were treated in a secondary hospital. The perioperative data were collected from medical charts and interviews. Functional Assessment Measure score, Short Form-12 and mortality were recorded at 12 months. Patients and surgery variables that were associated with increased mortality were used to develop a mortality model. Results: Mortality for the whole cohort was 19.4% at one year. From the variables tested only age >80 years, American Society of Anesthesiologists category, time to surgery (>48 hours), Charlson comorbidity index, sex, use of anti-coagulants, and body mass index <25 kg/m² were associated with increased mortality and used to construct the mortality model. The area under the curve for the prediction model was 0.814. Functional outcome at one year was similar to preoperative status, even though their level of physical function dropped after the hip surgery and slowly recovered. Conclusion: The mortality prediction model that was developed in this study calculates the risk of death at one year for patients with hip fractures, is simple, and could detect high risk patients that need special management.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.93-97
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• 2017

The sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) is a parasympathetic ganglion, located in the pterygopalatine fossa. The SPG block has been used for a long time for treating headaches of varying etiologies. For anesthesiologists, treating postdural puncture headaches (PDPH) has always been challenging. The epidural block patch (EBP) was the only option until researchers explored the role of the SPG block as a relatively simple and effective way to treat PDPH. Also, since the existing evidence proving the efficacy of the SPG block in PDPH is scarce, the block cannot be offered to all patients. EBP can be still considered if an SPG block is not able to alleviate pain due to PDPH.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.132-136
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• 2021

Local anesthetic (LA) injection outside the sheath in epineural or paraneural connective tissue is considered safe practice among regional anesthesiologists. There is limited evidence as to whether neurological complications occur if LA is injected inside the sheath (subepineural - intraneural). We performed ultrasound guided injections at the level of undivided sciatic nerve in four amputated lower limbs. In two specimens, LA was injected in epineural connective tissue (paraneural tissue) and in another two specimens by penetrating the outer nerve sheath (hyperechoic epineurium). Ultrasonography demonstrated an increase in the size of nerve and macroscopic findings revealed fascicular tracings with sub-epineural injections. Limbs were sent for histological analysis in formalin containers. Pathologist performed the analysis which demonstrated an intact perineurium and a breach in the epineurium. We conclude that sub-epineural injections are unsafe and injection should be done in paraneural tissue to ensure safety and avoid unwanted neurological sequelae after the block.

• Korean Journal of Anesthesiology
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• v.71 no.6
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• pp.453-458
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• 2018

Background: Pain on injection is a limitation with propofol use. The effect of the Valsalva maneuver on pain during propofol injection has not been studied. This maneuver reduces pain through the sinoaortic baroreceptor reflex arc and by distraction. We aimed to assess the efficacy of the Valsalva maneuver in reducing pain during propofol injection. Methods: Eighty American Society of Anesthesiologists class I adult patients undergoing general anesthesia were enrolled and divided into two groups of 40 each. Group I (Valsalva) patients blew into a sphygmomanometer tube raising the mercury column up to 30 mmHg for 20 seconds, while Group II (Control) patients did not. Anesthesia was induced with 1% propofol immediately afterwards. Pain was assessed on a 10-point visual analog scale (VAS), where 0 represented no pain, and 10, the worst imaginable pain, and a 4-point withdrawal response score, where 0 represented no pain, and 3, the worst imaginable pain. Scores were presented as median (interquartile range). Results: We analyzed the data of 70 patients. The incidence of pain was significantly lower in the Valsalva than in the control group (53% vs. 78%, P = 0.029). The withdrawal response score was significantly lower in the Valsalva group (1.00 [0.00-1.00] vs. 2.00 [2.00-3.00], P < 0.001). The VAS score was significantly lower in the Valsalva group (1.00 [0.00-4.00] vs. 7.00 [6.25-8.00], P < 0.001). Conclusions: A prior Valsalva maneuver is effective in attenuating injection pain due to propofol; it is advantageous in being a non-pharmacological, safe, easy, and time-effective technique.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.289-293
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• 2006

By means of microsurgical free-tissue transfer providing a large amount of required tissue, the surgeon can resect tumoral tissue more safely, which allows tumor-free margins and enhances the reliability of the ablative surgery that otherwise could not be performed radically. The morbidity of elective free-tissue transfer seems to be quite low, carrying acceptable risks for most patients. But the elderly patients are at risk for cardiac and respiratory problems, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary emboli and infection merely as a function of age. This study was undertaken to define further risks of the elderly population with regards to free-tissue transfer. We retrospectively reviewed our experience with 110 microsurgical free-tissue transfers for head and neck reconstruction in patients greater than 60 years of age. Microsurgical procedures in all cases were preformed by the plastic and reconstructive department at Yonsei medical center. The investigated parameters were patient demographics, past medical history, American Society of Anesthesiologists(ASA) status, site and cause of defect, the free tissue transferred and postoperative complication including free-flap success or failure. There were 46 patients in the age group from 60 to 64 years, 34 patients from 65 to 70 years, and 30 patients 70 years or older. There happened 3 flap losses, resulting in a flap viability rate of 97%. Patients with a higher ASA designation experienced more medical complication(p=0.05, 0.01, 0.03 in each age group I, II, III) but not surgical complication p=0.17, 0.11, 0.54 in each age group I, II, III). And the relationship between postoperative complication and age groups was not significant. These observations suggest that major determinant for postoperative medical complication be the patient's American Society of Anesthesiologists score, and chronologic age alone should not be an exclusion criterion when selecting patients for free-tissue transfer

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.418-424
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• 2018

Background Complication rates after flap coverage for pressure ulcers have been high historically. These patients have multiple risk factors associated with poor wound healing and complications including marginal nutritional status, prolonged immobilization, and a high comorbidities index. This study utilizes the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) to examine perioperative outcomes of flap coverage for pressure ulcers. Methods Data from the NSQIP database (2005-2015) for patient undergoing flap coverage for pressure ulcers was identified. Demographic, perioperative information, and complications were reviewed. One-way analysis of variance and Pearson chi-square were used to assess differences for continuous variables and nominal variables, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify independent risk factors for complications. Results There were 755 cases identified: 365 (48.3%) sacral ulcers, 321 (42.5%) ischial ulcers, and 69 (9.1%) trochanteric ulcers. Most patients were older male, with some degree of dependency, neurosensory impairment, high functional comorbidities score, and American Society of Anesthesiologists class 3 or above. The sacral ulcer group had the highest incidence of septic shock and bleeding, while the trochanteric ulcer group had the highest incidence of superficial surgical site infection. There was an overall complication rate of 25% at 30-day follow-up. There was no statistical difference in overall complication among groups. Total operating time, diabetes, and non-elective case were independent risk factors for overall complications. Conclusions Despite patients with poor baseline functional status, flap coverage for pressure ulcer patients is safe with acceptable postoperative complications. This type of treatment should be considered for properly selected patients.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.36-41
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• 2022

Background: Distal biceps rupture is a relatively uncommon injury that can significantly affect quality of life. Early complications following biceps tendon repair are not well described in the literature. This study utilizes a national surgical database to determine the incidence of and predictors for short-term complications following distal biceps tendon repair. Methods: The American College of Surgeons' National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was used to identify patients undergoing distal biceps repair between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2017. Patient demographic variables of sex, age, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists class, functional status, and several comorbidities were collected for each patient, along with 30-day postoperative complications. Binary logistic regression was used to calculate risk ratios for these complications using patient predictor variables. Results: Early postoperative surgical complications (0.5%)-which were mostly infections (0.4%)-and medical complications (0.3%) were rare. A readmission risk factor was diabetes (risk ratio [RR], 4.238; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.180-15.218). Non-home discharge risk factors were smoking (RR, 3.006; 95% CI, 1.123-8.044) and ≥60 years of age (RR, 4.150; 95% CI, 1.611-10.686). Maleness was protective for medical complications (RR, 0.024; 95% CI, 0.005-0.126). Surgical complication risk factors were obese class II (RR, 4.120; 95% CI, 1.123-15.120), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; RR, 21.981; 95% CI, 3.719-129.924), and inpatient surgery (RR, 8.606; 95% CI, 2.266-32.689). Conclusions: Complication rates after distal biceps repair are low. Various patient demographics, medical comorbidities, and surgical factors were all predictive of short-term complications.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.41-48
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• 2023

Background: Shoulder instability procedures have low morbidity; however, complications can arise that result in readmission to an inpatient healthcare facility. The purpose of this study is to identify the demographics and risk factors associated with unplanned 30-day readmission and reoperation following arthroscopic and open treatment for shoulder instability. Methods: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried to find patients who underwent shoulder instability surgery from 2015 to 2019. Independent sample Student t-tests, chi-square, and (where appropriate) Fisher's exact tests were used in univariate analyses to identify demographic, lifestyle, and perioperative variables related to 30-day readmission and reoperation following repair for shoulder instability. Multivariate logistic regression modeling was subsequently performed. Results: Of the 11,230 cases included in our sample, only 0.54% were readmitted, and 0.23% underwent reoperation within the 30-day postoperative period. Multivariate logistic regression modeling confirmed that the following patient variables were associated with statistically significantly increased odds of readmission and reoperation: open repair, congestive heart failure (CHF), and hospital length of stay. Conclusions: Unplanned 30-day readmission and reoperation after shoulder instability surgery is infrequent. Patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists class II, CHF, longer than average hospital length of stay, or an open procedure have higher odds of readmission than patients without those factors. Patients who have CHF, longer than average hospital length of stay, and open surgery have higher odds of reoperation than others. Arthroscopic procedures should be used to manage shoulder instability, if possible. Level of evidence: III.

• Neurospine
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.376-382
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate factors associated with inpatient admission following 2-level cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA). A secondary aim was to compare outcomes between those treated on an inpatient versus outpatient basis. Methods: Using data from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database, multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the independent effect of each variable on inpatient or outpatient selection for surgery. Statistical significance was defined by p-values <0.05. The factors considered were age, sex, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification, and comorbidities including hypertension, diabetes, history of dyspnea or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, previous cardiac intervention or surgery, steroid usage, and history of bleeding. In addition, whether the operation was performed by an orthopedic or neurosurgical specialist was analyzed. Results: The number of 2-level CDA procedures increased from 6 cases reported in 2014 to 142 in 2016, although a statistically significant increase in the number of outpatient cases performed was not seen (p=0.2). The factors found to be significantly associated with inpatient status following surgery were BMI (p=0.019) and diabetes mellitus requiring insulin (p=0.043). There were no significant differences in complication and readmission rates between the inpatient and outpatient groups. Conclusion: Patients undergoing inpatient 2-level CDA had significantly higher rates of obesity and diabetes requiring insulin than did patients undergoing the same procedure in the outpatient setting. With no difference in complication or readmission rates, 2-level CDA may be considered safe in the outpatient setting in appropriately selected patients.